THE future of an academy that helps people of all ages gain new skills through music has been thrown into jeopardy.

MuzoAkademy in Witney Market Square provides a space for people from across West Oxfordshire to bond over music.

Users of the service include an elderly man with dementia and teenagers with autism. Now, though, its hopes of a future in Witney are under threat as its home – The Rock Barn – may be knocked down and turned into six flats.

The group behind MuzoAkademy, part of the 7C's Foundation charity, are hoping they can either raise funds to stay in The Rock Barn or find an alternative hub so they can carry on their work in the town.

If they find a secure future in Witney, they want MuzoAkademy to grow into a wider arts and community programme. Jon Berry, one of the trustees of the 7C's Foundation, talked about the transformative effects the academy can achieve.

He said: "It gives people the opportunity to pull away from normal space and come together with others who have shared interests and passions. "From the charity side of things it’s about reaching the under-served and providing a route to meet their needs.

"We had a lad here from Ukraine – his dad had been shot by a sniper and he hadn’t spoken since. He came here and he wrote a song about it. "For Bill, who has dementia, it is about recapturing the life that is slipping away from him by writing an album of songs about his life."

Keble Homes submitted a planning application in December to demolish the current buildings to the rear of 8 - 10 Market Square and build a new six-apartment block.

Many locals are opposing the plans and Witney Town Council has made a formal objection on the grounds it would be an 'overdevelopment' in the town centre conservation area and there would not be sufficient parking space.

West Oxfordshire District Council is now considering the application, but if it is approved it will be down to the site's owners to decide whether to sell it to Keble Homes for the redevelopment.

MuzoAkademy – founded by Sandy, Aldie and Easy Chalmers – had humble beginnings as music lessons conducted out of a house. As its popularity grew, it became clear a new location was needed.

The group moved to Market Square and The Rock Barn was launched. The academy, which has now been running for five years, supports more than 100 students each week, enabling them to write and perform their own unique songs.

The youngest student is just three years old and the oldest is 89. Among them are brothers Logan and Elliott Jago, aged 11 and nine, who have been attending for just over a year.

The academy provides an outlet for the two boys, who both have mild autism.

They have been learning to play guitar and drums. Their mum Lisa said: "Both of them have come out of their shells a bit thanks to the academy

"It’s given them both confidence and they really enjoy coming here because it’s a safe environment.

"At school it’s made them a bit cooler. Now they’ve got something they can do that a lot of the other kids can’t."

She added: “The situation with the building is a concern: it will be a huge upheaval for them if they suddenly have it taken away."

Last week Witney MP Robert Courts – a keen blues guitarist – paid MuzoAkademy a visit to hear about the concerns.

He even joined Logan and Elliott for a jam session on The Rock Barn's stage. He said: "MuzoAkademy is a unique part of Witney’s creative scene, making a huge impact on the lives of people whose ages range over 80 years.

"As a blues guitarist myself, married to a music therapist, I am a firm believer in the power of music to change lives and will do everything possible to work with the team in their quest for a secure future in Witney."

Members of public can see the planning application online at westoxon.gov.uk using reference number 17/03929/FUL